French cricket facts for kids

French Cricket. Notice how the batter holds the bat and keeps their legs close together. This game is being played at Jervis Bay, Australia.

French cricket is a fun and easy version of cricket. It's a bit like a game of catch but with a bat! You can play it almost anywhere, like at picnics, parties, parks, or beaches. It's a great game for kids of different ages to play together. Even people who are just watching can join in by making a catch or having a turn to bat.

How to Play French Cricket

In French cricket, there is only one batsman. Their main goal is to stay in the game for as long as they can without getting out. All the other players are fielders. If a fielder has the ball, they become the bowler. The fielders' goal is to get the batsman out.

There are two main ways a batsman can get out:

• Caught: If the batsman hits the ball, and a fielder catches it before it bounces.
• Leg Before Wicket (LBW): Since there are no stumps, this happens if the bowler throws the ball and it hits the batsman's legs, usually below the knees.

When the batsman gets out, the player who caught the ball or caused the LBW usually becomes the new batsman. Then, the game starts again!

There are many different ways people play French cricket, with extra rules. Sometimes, the batsman has to keep their legs in the same spot. They might even have to face the same way for their whole turn. Other times, they can move a little after hitting the ball. In some versions, the batsman can even score runs.

Basic Rules of French Cricket

The batsman stands still, holding the bat to protect their legs. Their legs act like the "stumps" in regular cricket. Any other player with the ball can throw it at the batsman's legs to try and get them out. If the batsman hits the ball, other players can try to catch it to get them out.

Who Plays French Cricket?

French cricket is often played by children. It's also popular for mixed groups of kids and adults. Adults sometimes play it for fun at outdoor parties or on picnics. If people play more seriously, they might take turns batting. The player who bats for the longest time or faces the most balls is often considered the winner.

What Equipment Do You Need?

You don't need special cricket gear for French cricket. You only need two things! The ball is usually a tennis ball. It's thrown underarm at the batsman's legs. The batsman holds a cricket bat, a tennis racquet, or anything else that can be used like a bat.

Batting in French Cricket

The player with the bat, the batsman, must protect their "wicket." Their legs are their wicket. The batsman usually cannot move their legs. In some versions, the batsman can only hit the ball upwards or in a scooping motion.

Fielding in French Cricket

Any number of fielders can stand around the batsman. Any fielder can throw the ball at the batsman from any direction.

Different Ways to Play

People often add their own rules to French cricket. Here are some common ones:

Batting Rules

• Turning to Face: Sometimes, the batsman can only turn to face the next ball if they hit the previous one. If they miss, they might have to try and hit the next ball without turning.
• No Foot Movement: In some games, the batsman is not allowed to move their feet at all. If their feet move, they are out. This rule helps keep the ball in smaller areas like backyards.
• Moving After Hitting: In other versions, if the batsman hits the ball, they can run around until a fielder catches the ball.
• Scoring Runs: A batsman can score "runs" by spinning the bat around themselves with both hands after hitting the ball. They can keep doing this until a fielder has the ball and calls "ready."
• First Ball Safety: Sometimes, a batsman cannot get out on their very first ball. Also, a batsman might score "runs" just for each ball thrown at them or passed between fielders.

Fielding Rules

• No Steps: Once a fielder picks up the ball, they might not be allowed to take any steps until they throw or pass the ball. To get the batsman out with a direct throw, the fielder must throw the ball underarm.
• One-Hand One-Bounce: This rule means the batsman is out if a fielder catches the ball with one hand after it has bounced only once.

Why Is It Called French Cricket?

The name "French cricket" might come from comparing it to regular cricket, which started in England. Some people think the name might playfully suggest it's a simpler or "lesser" version of the game. It's similar to how a "French cut" in cricket is a shot that isn't hit very well. The name might also come from the batting style looking a bit like how you play croquet, which some people mistakenly think is a French game.